Mainstream cruising heading toward all-inclusive?

[Oceanwench]

HAL has its Explore 4, which pretty much gives one a carte blanche for beverages - and adds a few other perks.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line just announced a promo for cruises for 2015. It offers a dining package (no fee for specialty restaurants), beverage package (unlimited - with a $10 cap on price for alcoholic beverages), 250 Internet minutes, 20 photos of any size, pre-paid service charge, $200 toward shore excursions (6-day cruises or longer; $100 on shorter cruises) and several minor amenities.

 

The package price depends on the length of the cruise. Those who purchase the all-inclusive get a 10 percent reduction on the cost of the cruise itself.

 

The cost would be an additional $899 per person on a 7-day cruise.

 

I am wondering if other cruise lines are thinking along these lines.

Would you purchase something similar if HAL offered it?

Edited August 5, 2014 by Oceanwench

[Seanewby]

It wouldn't be worth it to me. I don't drink, usually don't eat at the specialties, hate my picture because I'm not photogenic, and don't use that much internet when I travel. I'm sure it will be good for some though.

[iancal]

No. We would rather pay as you go.

[cbr663]

Never. Most of these programs have 2 goals: to increase revenue streams and to change passenger behaviours.

Edited August 5, 2014 by cbr663

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

It is like a all-inclusive ..

[Djptcp]

We never use the Internet on board ship, don't drink that much, don't buy photos, and hardly ever eat in a specialty restaurant unless it's a free perk, so paying an extra $899 per person is a definite no-no for us.

[KirkNC]

No. We would rather pay as you go.

 

I agree, I think you would find most would have something they don't want in the package.

[Oceanwench]

While cruising is somewhat like an all-inclusive, I would guess few get off the ship without some kind of bill.

We usually do - some times a lot more than others.

When we have sufficient OBC, it covers our gratuities and drinks, and maybe some of our store purchases.

But there's always the charges from the casino, a photo purchase or two, maybe dinner at Tamarind.

 

I can't think that our tab has ever been $1,800 at the end of a cruise! :eek:

 

I was just wondering if the cruise lines are testing the waters to see what would work.

Many of the upscale lines are all-inclusive to some degree, with shore excursions, Internet, alcoholic beverages all included in the fare.

[sail7seas]

HAL has its Explore 4, which pretty much gives one a carte blanche for beverages - and adds a few other perks.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line just announced a promo for cruises for 2015. It offers a dining package (no fee for specialty restaurants), beverage package (unlimited - with a $10 cap on price for alcoholic beverages), 250 Internet minutes, 20 photos of any size, pre-paid service charge, $200 toward shore excursions (6-day cruises or longer; $100 on shorter cruises) and several minor amenities.

 

The package price depends on the length of the cruise. Those who purchase the all-inclusive get a 10 percent reduction on the cost of the cruise itself.

 

The cost would be an additional $899 per person on a 7-day cruise.

 

I am wondering if other cruise lines are thinking along these lines.

Would you purchase something similar if HAL offered it?

 

No. I wouldn't purchase it.

 

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

We haven't bought pictures in years. On our last cruise we did have to buy some internet minutes -- otherwise we don't use the ship's internet.

We do drink, definitely eat in the specialty restaurants.

But overall -- NCL's package doesn't interest us.

[RuthC]

If I were to want all the added features at an increased cost, I would just move to a more upscale line. They are already in the business of providing the extras, and place it in a more upscale atmosphere.

[Linda&Vern]

I wouldn't call it "all-inclusive" if I have to pay for the extra perks. I would call it a marketing promotion to increase ship's revenue.

[Oceanwench]

If I were to want all the added features at an increased cost, I would just move to a more upscale line. They are already in the business of providing the extras, and place it in a more upscale atmosphere.

 

That is my thinking too, Ruth.

Perhaps when people do the math, they'll find it makes more sense to go with an upscale line.

[Cruzin Terri]

Never. Most of these programs have 2 goals: to increase revenue streams and to change passenger behaviours.

 

You have hit the nail on the head. I do not think that would be the way I would want to go.

Terri

[kakalina]

No Sir, not I. To paraphrase what Ruth stated, for that kind of money I would move on up to the current "all inclusive" lines.

[Vict0riann]

No, it seems an awful lot for one week! I think we would just "self-insure" and pay as we go. However, we are hoping to enjoy the explore4 promo on our next cruise of 42 days. :)

[rafinmd]

If I were to want all the added features at an increased cost, I would just move to a more upscale line. They are already in the business of providing the extras, and place it in a more upscale atmosphere.

 

I wouldn't call it "all-inclusive" if I have to pay for the extra perks. I would call it a marketing promotion to increase ship's revenue.

 

You both express my sentiments very well.

 

Roy

[Itasca]

The significant feature of "all-inclusive" is the elimination of the accounting for minor charges largely food and drink. But this is only true if the entire ship is all-inclusive.

Also the inclusion of larger items such as shore excursions leads to a frantic rush to reserve any and all possible excursions since there is no penalty for skipping them at the last minute.

[kazu]

thanks for starting this thread Oceanwench. A very interesting topic and interesting thing that NCL is trying.

 

If it were offered on HAL it would really depend upon the inclusives.

 

I like that the NCL drink limit is higher than HAL's Explore4. If you like wine, the Explore4 only gives you one option by the glass.

 

For us, like any cruise, I would do the math. If it worked out that it was close enough we would do it. If it wasn't of value to us we wouldn't. We rarely do shore excursions if other options are available. Don't care for the large crowds although we do them when necessary and will certainly get the private HAL mini bus /van for our roll call.

 

I think it's an interesting idea though and love the idea of not having to keep track of a gazillion little slips and charges.

[Oceanwench]

I pretty much could predict the reaction here, but checked over at the Norwegian board.

Most of the posters seemed to find it too expensive for their tastes.

I read a couple pages of posts -- lots of math -- as they sorted it out.

 

Some pointed out that it might work for someone booking a very expensive stateroom, as that person would get 10 percent off his/her cruise price with the package.

 

But most whose posts I read agreed that they wouldn't care about many of the aspects of the all-inclusive promo.

[chrispb]

Far too expensive for what you get. A simple drinks package would sell far better, I think.

[SilvertoGold]

 

I like that the NCL drink limit is higher than HAL's Explore4. If you like wine, the Explore4 only gives you one option by the glass.

----------------------

 

 

Friends who sail on NCL have said the drink pricing is a lot higher that HAL's.

 

I saw their price list a couple of years ago and I remember the wine started around $8.00 and the drinks were more like $9.00 and up. I was a bit surprised at the time. Maybe thinks have changed....

Edited August 5, 2014 by SilvertoGold

[Fouremco]

Before cruising, we spent a number of years vacationing at all-inclusive resorts, a concept which we still find appealing. What NCL is offering, however, is a an optional, additional cost package, and not a particularly appealing one at that. If I cruised with NCL, I certainly wouldn't be interested.

[elusive_23]

At that cost NO WAY! The value of that particular package does not equate to what I would have to pay extra.

 

When I first started cruising in 2009 I was bummed to hear that cruises were not all-inclusive and that you had to pay for alcohol. My cabin bill for 3 of my cruises was huge! Well the last cruise I was on I bought the package and guess what? I didn't even drink enough on that cruise for it to be worth it. *Sigh*

 

Anyways...this October my mother and I are trying out Azamara because we got a steal of a deal and the itinerary is Azamazing :) Not completely all-inclusive but they do include several things other cruise lines do not including house beer, wine and liquor and surprisingly the list is lengthy enough that I think I will do fine without having to pay to upgrade to a premium package.

 

I think that if any standard (not luxury) cruise line were going to go all-inclusive they wouldn't be able to tack on that big of an increase as it would simply out price a lot of people. I can see the option being there, but not sure how many people would actually take them up on it.

[serendipity1499]

No, That package would not interest us either.. :eek: Too expensive!